! Thessalonians was written early on during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey with Silvanus and Timothy. Written about 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the letter is Paul’s first  letter and the first writing of  the New Testament.  

Paul’s message to the people of Thessalonika can be summarized in a sentence.  “ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (Thes. 4:14)

In the letter Paul commends the Thessalonians, who are mostly Gentiles. They received Paul’s message through the power of the Holy Spirit,  not just through Paul’s words.  They are experiencing strong opposition from Jews as well as from their own people, who seem to portray Paul and his companions as religious peddlers trying to profit from a gullible audience.

Paul mentions  the persecution going on in Judea. In this week’s gospel readings  from Matthew Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees who oppose him in strong terms.   Commentators believe Matthew’s gospel may well describe the opposition Jesus’ followers faced after his death and resurrection, rather than the opposition Jesus faced in his lifetime.

Is this why the compilers of our lectionary put these two readings together. Matthew’s gospel is a commentary on the opposition the Thessalonians face.  

Paul assumes the final coming of Jesus will occur in his own lifetime, but the day is unknown. It will come as a “thief in the night.” ( 1 Thes 5: 1-2) The same theme is repeated in Matthew’s gospel this week.

Instead of focusing on the last days, Paul tells the Thessalonians to live today.